Deputy Chief Samuel DeMaio is named Newark's acting police director

Patti Sapone/The Star-LedgerNewark's new acting Police Director Samuel DeMaio addresses the media a day after former Director Garry McCarthy took the top job in Chicago.

NEWARK — Samuel DeMaio, a 24-year law enforcement veteran described as "the toughest cop" in Newark, was named today to lead the state’s largest police department, then given his first order of business: Prevent what some fear could be another bloody summer.

DeMaio, 44, who will serve as acting police director, replaces Garry McCarthy, who has been named superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Calling it a "bittersweet day," Newark Mayor Cory Booker praised his future and former directors during a morning press conference.

"There is still much work to be done in Newark, but we stand now on a platform that was designed by a great leader in our city and a great leader in America," Booker said, referring to McCarthy.

Then, turning to DeMaio, whom he called a "tactician" committed to emulating McCarthy’s success, the mayor said, "We have a hungry man who is ready to prove himself."

Booker said that during his search for an acting director, other officers described DeMaio as "the toughest cop that we have. This was the most fearsome fighter."

DeMaio takes over a department trying to rebound from last year’s massive layoffs and preparing for what some fear may be another crime-filled summer.

Last year, Newark experienced its deadliest summer in 20 years, with 35 homicides between June 1 and Aug. 31.

DeMaio promised that will not happen again.

"That is the number one priority right now. I have a summer plan we have been working on," he said, adding that details on the initiative will be released in the coming weeks. "I think it’s going to have a tremendous impact on our crime this summer. I think it’s something the citizens are going to enjoy seeing."

Booker said DeMaio will serve as acting director through September, but a peaceful summer could help his chances to lead the department full-time.

"All we want to look at right now is what the numbers are going to be compared to last summer," he said. "If he pulls off what I believe he can, if we pull off, as a community, an incredible success, that’s going to speak a lot toward what the future is going to look like."

The former deputy chief is an experienced police executive who worked closely with McCarthy, former Police Director Anthony Ambrose and former Chief Irving Bradley Jr. He has also served as the department’s chief of detectives and as a precinct commander.

DeMaio’s appointment was met with praise from some law enforcement leaders, who say his background makes him a perfect candidate, and skepticism from others, who say his disciplinary record should be made public.

Deborah Jacobs, executive director of the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said DeMaio has a bad reputation among city residents. She cited a 2007 incident in which he was reprimanded for violating an attorney general’s directive when he asked the immigration status of two city journalists after they discovered a body in the East Ward.

"He has a reputation in this city, and whether it’s deserved or not can be determined in part through a release of his disciplinary records," Jacobs said.

A letter of reprimand was placed in DeMaio’s personnel file by McCarthy, who at the time said the situation was an "isolated incident." That sentiment was echoed by police union leaders today.

"This has no bearing on his ability to lead this agency, none whatsoever," said Capt. John Chrystal, president of the city’s Superior Officer’s Association. "It was a minor infraction."

Jacobs and West Ward Councilman Ron Rice Jr., who also had concerns about allegations of misconduct against DeMaio, called for his disciplinary record to be made public.

"My point is whispers become fact in some people’s mind, unless the facts are presented before people," he said.

Ambrose, who has known DeMaio since they graduated from the police academy in 1985, described him as a "resilient leader" and characterized the allegations of misconduct as "cheap shots" from people who aren’t happy about his appointment.

"His leadership ability shouldn’t be clouded by rumors," said Ambrose, who is now chief of detectives for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. "Being a police officer for 25 years, you’re going to make a few mistakes and you’re going to make some bad decisions, especially in a city of our size."

Struggling to control his emotions, McCarthy spoke briefly in what may have been his final public appearance in Newark.

"Thank you to everybody who has supported me. Thanks to the great men and women of this agency. Thanks to this great community of Newark, the county, my friends that I’ve made here," he said. Then, before stepping away from the podium, he added, "Thank You. Good luck. That’s it."